25th Anniversary Event was Fabulous

More than 300 people gathered to honor the 25th Anniversary of the first Gay Games at the University of California at San Francisco’s new Mission Bay Conference Center on 27 October 2007.  The Legacy Dinner celebrated the rich history of the Gay Games and provided an opportunity both to raise funds for future projects and honor outstanding contributions to the LGBT community. 

The evening began with a cocktail reception that served as a reunion of Gay Games I organisers and athletes with subsequent Gay Games participants, including large groups that traveled from Los Angeles and Chicago.  Attendees submitted bids for more than 50 silent auction items such as posters from the first Gay Games and contributions from numerous companies and individuals, including Gay Games Ambassadors Billie Jean King, John Amaechi and Esera Tuaolo. 

During the dinner itself, a slide show of photographs from all seven Gay Games entertained guests between the various speeches and awards.  Federation co-presidents Kathleen Webster and Sion O’Connor welcomed the crowd to an evening of presentations that proved to be not only fun but, at times, emotionally moving.  Emcee Lenny Broberg ensured the program moved right along with grace and humour. 

Gay Games Ambassador Esera Tuaolo presenting a Legacy award to Gay Games to Gay Games Ambassador David Kopay.  © Rick Gerharter

(left to right) Games Cologne Chair Annette Wachter, international Federation of Gay Games Co-President Emy Ritt, Sports Club Janus of Cologne Delegate Barbara Strewinski at the Gay Games 25th Anniversary Legacy Dinner, October 27 at the UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center. © Rick Gerharter

Legacy Awards
The Federation’s board chose the 25^th anniversary to launch the first Gay Games Legacy Awards to acknowledge important work being done to support LGBT sport and cultural activities throughout the world.  The inaugural recipients included:
- Dave Kopay, American football player in the National Football League from 1964 to 1972 and the first professional athlete in the world to speak publicly about being gay, for opening doors for amateur and professional athletes everywhere.  Dave has taken part in two Gay Games and is a Gay Games Ambassador.  Kile Ozier and Esera Tuaolo, himself a former NFL player, presented Dave’s award.
- The European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation for its work to combat homophobia and promote equality in Europe through sport programs.  Emy Ritt accepted the award on behalf of EGLSF representatives.
- The National Center for Lesbian Rights Sports Project for its ongoing legal work in the U.S. challenging discriminatory practices in a variety of athletic programs.  NCLR Sports Project Director Helen Carroll accepted the award from figure skaters Alan Lessik and Johnny Manzon-Santos, who NCLR successfully represented in a discrimination case against the East Bay Iceland skating rink in Berkeley, California.
- Writer Jim Provenzano for his groundbreaking coverage of news related to LGBT sport programs.  Gold medal winning Olympic swimmer and Gay Games Ambassador Bruce Hayes, a public relations professional, presented Jim’s media award. 

While the evening held many memorable moments, few matched the moving tribute that Esera Tuaolo sang to honor Kopay with a new song by composer Henry Krieger (Dreamgirls) and lyricist Bill Russell (Side Show).  Entertainment was provided by the comedian ANT, who also performed at Chicago’s Gay Games closing ceremony, and actor Wilson Cruz.  Cologne’s delegation received thunderous applause after showing their clever promotional video featuring the red logo morphing into various sports competitors and performers in action around the city.

Uyvari-LaPat Scholarship Fund
A wonderful, surprise announcement capped the evening – a USD 20,000 gift to establish the Uyvari-LaPat Scholarship Fund to bring South African participants to the 2010 Games in Cologne.  Chicagoans Dick Uyvari and Joe LaPat were instrumental in the successful scholarship program for Gay Games VII, and their ongoing generosity received a standing ovation. .

The Legacy Dinner ended with a toast offered by Gay Games I board member Sara Waddell Lewinstein, who was accompanied by Jessica Waddell Lewinstein, her daughter with the late Gay Games founder Tom Waddell.  Sara’s recollections of the first Gay Games and the incredible work of so many people over the years were an emotional and uplifting closing to this most memorable night.

The Gay Games 25^th Anniversary Legacy Dinner was co-chaired by San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty and Sara Waddell Lewinstein.  Sponsors of the event included AT&T at the gold level, silver sponsors Kile Ozier, Logomotion, the Bob Ross Foundation, and Orbitz, with Mary Sager, David Perry and Associates, and Tylenol PM contributing at the bronze level.  Ketel One and Barefoot Wines offered complimentary beverages during the opening reception.  Ketel One’s martini bar provided one of the evening’s fun conversation starters.  The bar’s towering ice sculpture – which Broberg humorously and aptly described as a “vodka luge” – featured spiral ice tunnels from the top that dispensed the drink already mixed and chilled into the patron’s glass.  The sculpture featured the Gay Games’ 25th anniversary logo etched in the ice.


CLICK HERE to see a Legacy Dinner photo slide show.
Text by Brent Minor, Kelly Stevens, Marc Naimark, Paul Oostenbrug and Charlie Carson

In just two and a half years, Cologne, Germany will play host to athletes and performers from around the world.  An expected 12,000 participants from more than 70 countries will attend Gay Games VIII in 2010.  Preparations are well under way, and several crucial milestones have been achieved. Pre-registration has already started!   Click the red logo below to learn more.

   Be Part of It!

The Federation held its annual meeting in San Francisco just prior to the official 25th anniversary events.  Emy Ritt of Paris was elected the Federation’s new female co-president, joining Sion O’Connor in his second year as male co-president.  Seven new board members were elected from cities such as Sydney, Seattle and Chicago.  Several longstanding board members retired, including immediate past co-president Kathleen Webster, after years of dedicated work that has left the Federation in its best shape ever.

This was the first meeting of the new general assembly since the board restructuring a year ago, With 16 new sport and culture organisations joining the assembly and the success of Chicago’s Gay Games, meeting attendance was very strong.  Click HERE to read the annual meeting press release with more details.

You and/or your organisation can join the international Federation of Gay Games in our work during 2008.  There are several ways to volunteer and it is easier than ever to do so from anywhere in the world. For membership information, click HERE.  

Chicago Gay Games  Book is Published

Place your holiday orders now!

The excitement and joy of the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago are captured in a beautiful new 208-page 4-color glossy photo soft-cover book available online from the web site www.lulu.com.  The amazing book features more than 1,000 images of the sports, culture and ceremonies of Gay Games VII, which were held July 15-22, 2006.

Chicago Gay Games VII DVD
This official DVD captures all of the action and spirit:
 Purchase at Wolfe Video Online » 

"[The DVD blends] drama, spirit, competition, emotion and energy into a must-see memory."
(Ross Forman, Windy City Times.)

"A concise, touching and uplifting overview of the seventh games. ... The DVD visualizes the diversity of participants from around the world, and the ebullient hospitality of the city of Chicago ... Sports get admirable coverage in well-edited segments that capture the spirit, enthusiasm, and open affection of participants."
(Jim Provenzano, Bay Area Reporter/SportsComplex)

Marc Naimark of Paris was selected to receive the inaugural Volunteer Service Award by the Federation’s board of directors for his leadership of the Sports Inclusion and Retention Subcommittee. His tireless work to improve the Gay Games sports program will result in a wider range of cities being able to bid to host the Games. Marc said,. "Putting on one of the largest sports and culture events in the world is an amazing accomplishment, and it's all the more amazing when you see that for the most part it's the result of the work of a relatively small number of volunteers. I can only suppose that what motivates them to give so much is what has motivated me: a life-changing experience at the Gay Games, and a desire to make sure that thousands of others will have the chance to enjoy the same experience every four years. Everyone who has gained from the Gay Games should consider what they can give back so that the movement can continue to grow and reach even more men and women."

Marc was subsequently elected to one of the two Officer of Sport positions on the board of directors.  In that position he will co-chair the Sports Committee.
 

On the afternoon following the Legacy Dinner, the FGG joined with Team San Francisco to host a Gay Games Community Day to thank the people of San Francisco and, indeed, the world, for their support of the Gay Games and to recognise the significant contribution that this city has played in the life of the organization. This was a free event and open to everyone.   To see a photo gallery of the event click HERE.

This event kicked off at Noon at the Eureka Valley Recreational Center and Collingwood Park located in the heart of the Castro. Families, kids, even dogs were invited to join us for this fun casual time. Member clubs from Team San Francisco offered demonstrations and scrimmages and lots of good information was passed out.

Representatives from Games Cologne, our hosts for the 2010 Gay Games and Cultural Festival, were on hand to offer a first look at registration, venues, and plans. Many Gay Games VIII t-shirts were sold.

A number of people had scoured their closets and garages and brought their own historical Gay Games photos to the Community Day. On-site computers and scanners were used to preserve these memories digitally for the Gay Games photo archives.

Hats off to Team San Francisco for organizing this fantastic event. Special hats off to Lenny Broberg, the emcee for the entire afternoon.

Please welcome the following new organisations to the
international Federation of Gay Games assembly.

Sports Diversity Foundation (Los Angeles U.S.)
Gotham Volleyball (New York U.S.)
Gay and Lesbian Organisation for Racing and Yachting - GLORY (Sydney Australia)
Out to Swim Associate Member (London United Kingdom)
Sport Club Tangra-Bulgaria (Tangra Bulgaria)
Cercle Associatif Rhônalpin Gay Omnisports - CARGO07 (Lyon France)
Bura – re.d (Zagreb Croatia)
TEMA Information Center (Belarus)
Orca Swim Team (Seattle U.S.)
Gay Hockey International (The International Gay & Lesbian Ice Hockey Association)
Seattle Frontrunners (Seattle U.S.)
qSPORT (Zagreb, Croatia)
Team Rehoboth Beach (Rehoboth U.S.)
San Francisco Track & Field Club (San Francisco U.S.)
Body Building Guild – BBG (Southfield U.S.)
Queer Sports Alliance Melbourne Inc. – QSAM (Melbourne Australia)